Plaiting device



April 9, 1963 A. L. PECK PLAITING DEVICE Filed Dec. 11, 1959 INVENTOR.ALIC .PEcK

ATTOR/Vf Y 3,984,336 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 3,084,836 PLAITING DEVICEAlice L. leck, Las Vegas, Nev., assignor to Scovill Manutacturing(Zompany, Waterbury, (101111., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Dec.11, 1959,,Ser. No. 859,050 1 Claim. (til. 223-34) This invention relatesto a device for forming plaits in flexile material, such as fabrics,plastic or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple device which isinexpensive, and easily manipulated by hand, to readily and expedientlyform plaits in the material.

Another object of the invention is to form a plaiter device which isconstructed and arranged to measure the width of the plait as well as toaccurately measure the distance between the plaits, or overlap of theplaits.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in the improvedplaiter, a space for applying a fixing means, such as a pin, for holdingthe plait in position and at the same time permitting removal of thedevice to make the next plait.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appearfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the plaiting device;

FIG. 2 is an edge view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the first step in manipulating the plaiterdevice;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the turning of the plaiting device to forma plait;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the application of a holding device forthe plait formed and the removal of the device from the plait;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the measuring of the position for applyingthe device to the material for forming the next plait; and

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the positioning 0d the device for forming,and measuring the distance of, overlapping plaits.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, theimproved plaiting device comprises a body portion 10 having a pair ofblades or tines 12 projecting downwardly therefrom and spaced apart. Thetines have parallel outer edges 14. A laterally extending projection 16at one side of said body portion 10 has a lower edge 18 which is atright angles to an edge 14 of an adjacent tine 12. The edge 18 projectsoutwardly from the edge 14 a distance equal to the distance between thetwo parallel edges 14 of the tines 12. A plurality of graduations, hereshown as notches 20, are formed along the edge 18.

The device as above described may be formed from sheet metal, plastic orhard rubber and may be stamped or molded to form.

The steps in using the device are illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7 inclusive.In forming plaits in material 22, preparatory to stitching, the operatorapplies the device to one edge of the material as illustrated in FIG. 3,with the tines 12 on opposite sides of the material. The plaiter is thenturned one hundred and eighty degrees to a position shown in FIG. 4forming the first plait. A pin 24 is then inserted through the threethicknesses of the material, and between the tines 12, to retain theplait thus formed in location for stitching. The plaiter is thenremoved, as shown in FIG. 5.

To form an adjacent plait the plaiter is turned back to its originalposition with the laterally extending projection 16 facing the firstformed plait and serves as a measure for locating the next plait. Thetines 12 are then positioned on opposite sides of the edge of thematerial a distance from the rear edge of the first fold equal to thewidth of the extension 16, the outer end of the edge 18 aligning withthe rear edge of the first fold, as shown in FIG. 6, and the processrepeated. This assures the proper spacing of each plait and since thelength of the edge 18 is equal to the distance between the outer edges14- of the tines 12 the front edge of the last formed plait will fall inalignment with the rear edge of the previously formed plait.

If it is desired to form overlapping plaits, as illustrated in FIG. 7,the tines 12. are positioned over the edge of the material with one ofthe graduations or notches 2t aligning with the rear edge of the lastformed plait. The amount of overlap is predetermined by a selection OLEone of the notches.

The plaiter may be made in a variety of sizes depending upon the widthof plait desired, and may be merchandised in sets, each set having arange of variable sizes so that the operator has a selection.

By the use of the device each plait is accurately spaced one fromanother and every plait is of equal width. The device is easilymanipulated and is inexpensive to manufacture.

It is my intention to cover by the appended claim such changes as may beincluded within a reasonable interpretation of the meaning of the termstherein.

I claim:

A plaiting device of the character described, comprising a .body portionin a single plane, outwardly extending tines integral with said bodyportion and each having outer parallel side edges, a lateral projectionextending outwardly from said body portion at one side thereof, saidlateral projection having a width equal to the distance between theouter edges of said outwardly extending tines, and notches in the edgeof said lateral projection adjacent one of said outwardly extendingtines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS355,503 Caldwell a Jan. 4, 1887 2,805,007 Aschbacher Sept. 3, 19572,828,896 Hanselman Apr. 1, 1958 2,834,522 Ogle May 13, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 338,922. Germany July 7, 1921 525,773 Canada June 5, 1956

